Making the most of it

When we arrived in Washington DC (technically Arlington, VA) back in February, we knew we had a limited amount of time to enjoy all that the area had to offer.  And we barely scratched the surface.

On our way! Look at those fresh faces, if they only knew...

Trying to balance the new job events like meeting new co-workers/graduation/classes with seeing old (and new) friends and family, as well as exploring this amazing area kept us jumping.  It's full to the brim with historical, cultural and natural opportunities. Not to mention the food! Good thing I've been wearing skirts and dresses more often, my pants may never fit again 😋

Colin Powell came to FSI to visit!

Flag Day!

Snow day on St. Paddy's Day, love the green fountain!

Riding the metro

David's parents visited and our friend helped us set up a White House tour.  

Our second White House tour in a week! So lucky ☺️

National cathedral, absolutely stunning!

The Cherry Blossom Festival was magical. Words cannot describe what this looked like at sunrise. We needed the  pictures to help remember, since we were stumbling around half asleep.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is a stunning tribute to this remarkable man.

Keegan showing her Team Tesla pride next to Edison's display at the American History museum.

Our fabulous friend Sheila did a couple of photo shoots for our family pictures.  She's a remarkable photographer.  This is at the National Botanical Gardens.

We went to the US Capitol and the Library of Congress with our new friends the Oliver's!

Some new friends at graduation, looking very GQ.

Being silly with my new friend Brenda

Bbqs with old college friends

And with old military friends

Plus a whirlwind trip to Vegas 

One of our highlights was our Memorial weekend trip to New York City to visit my cousin.  We rode the train up from DC and I even hailed my first taxi with an ear splitting whistle.  It felt very New York-ish until my goofy grin showed everyone what a tourist I was 😉

View from the Empire State Building

 

Goofing off around the city and Brooklyn with my cousin Tom

Central Park.  David said he could almost live in NYC if he could live here...almost 😄

From the Staten Island Ferry

The 9/11 Memorial is just powerful.

And life happened.  David, Keegan and Rowen all celebrated birthdays here.  David and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. 

Keegan graduated from middle school and Rowen graduated from elementary school. 

Choir concert with fun friends.

 Keegan's first dance!  

The time just flew. And now we are sitting in a hotel in Colorado, 18 days and counting until Dakar.  I can't wait to see what trouble we can get into before we leave!